For He Himself is our peace.
Ephesians 2:14
“First put yourself at peace, and then you may the better make others be at peace. A peaceful and patient man is of more profit to himself and to others, too, than a learned man who has no peace” (Thomas a’ Kempis).
I Iove this statement, for many are those who have falsely concluded that only the learned (or skilled) can actually make a difference in this world. But actually, all you need is real peace flourishing in you, and real peace being demonstrated through you. Are you a person of peace?
The Biblical concept of peace resounds much different than our cultural understanding. Most usually understand peace to be the absence of internal or external strife. But real peace, the peace spoken of in the Holy Scriptures (represented by the Hebrew root, “slm” translated “salom or shalom”) communicates the idea of being completely whole or sound, or to live well.
This peace is only possible through the presence of God. In the day when God commissioned Gideon to lead Israel against Midian, the Lord affirmed His presence with Gideon and said, “peace to you, do not fear.” So, Gideon built an alter to the Lord and named it, “Jehovah-Shalom, the Lord is peace” (Judges 6:24). One does not have the be absent of conflict to have real peace. One only needs to live in the presence of God to know real peace. “Peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of God” (J. Oswald Chambers). Do you have peace today?
As the Old Testament Scriptures announced, this peace ultimately comes through the Messiah (Isaiah 9:6, “A child will be born to us . . .and will be called . . . prince of peace”). The New Testament affirmed this and announced that only through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ can one know real peace. Colossians 1:19-20 proclaims,
“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in Him (Jesus), and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross.”
The writer of Hebrews gave as a fitting conclusion to his letter (Hebrews 13:20-21), “Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Therefore, only through a personal relationship with Jesus can one know real peace. “The true Christian’s peace arises from a consciousness of his sins being forgiven, and his guilt being put away. … He has peace with God, because he is justified” (J. C. Ryle). Do you have peace today?
From within teaching given to the early church, we are reminded that sin can interrupt peace. Paul wrote in I Thessalonians 5:23, “May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Paul’s connection of the God of peace with our sanctification demonstrated a theological connection of three significant yet simple truths. God brings peace. Sin can interrupt (but not destroy) that peace. Therefore, God’s desire is for our sanctification (growing more and more in His likeness and away from sin) whereby we grow in His peace. Jill Briscoe was approached by a young lady in her church who asked for counsel because she had lost her peace. Jill asked, “when did you feel that peace missing?” The young lady replied that she did not want to talk about it. But eventually she did. She lost her peace when she moved in with her boyfriend. Jill responded, “that’ll do it.” The young lady got the message.[1]
Sin can interrupt God’s peace in your life because sin interrupts your fellowship (but not your union) with Jesus. Romans 8:6 reminds us that “the mind set on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” “Grace and peace are twin sisters, grace being the firstborn. Where grace abounds, peace thrives. Where grace is stunted, peace shrivels” (Charles Stanley). Do you have peace today?
Henry Nouwen wrote, “Give me courage to show the dove in a world so full of serpents.”[2] Think about it! Which defines your life at this very moment? Affected by all the negative in the world, or living in the reality of the Prince of peace?
If indeed the Prince of Peace lives in us, we have His peace in abundance. Today live in the peace that lives in you.
Blessings.
READ
Read Ephesians 2:1-22 and be reminded of Jesus Himself as our peace.
[1]Jilll Briscoe, “Hanging Up Our Faith,” Preaching Today, Tape No. 148.
[2] Henri Nowen in A Cry for Mercy.
